Sam Wildman

This is what USC blew up the Pac-12 for.

Feeling nervous doesn't mean you're unprepared. It means you care about something beyond your control. Anxiety is a caricature artist. It magnifies flaws and minimizes strengths. Gaining confidence is not about denying what could go wrong. It’s about recognizing what might go right.

Need THIS type of running game Saturday. Crazy to think it's been 10 years.

A farm son in his 30's is uncertain about his family's future involvement in his dad's farm. When the succession topic comes up, Dad gets defensive or avoids discussing it. How does Son approach that conversation? Some version of this question is frequently asked in the ag world. My advice is: First, I don't have a silver bullet answer since each scenario is unique, but generally 1. Approach with humility & not entitlement 2. Explain you're planning for your family's future 3. Timing is key: avoid stressful seasons/times to discuss Let's add some context to these... 1. Recognize & honor the farm has likely been your parents' life's work and it is theirs to do with as they choose. The conversation is one of gratefulness for what they've built and you're not entitled to inherit/take over any part of it just because you share a last name. 2. Your young family is growing and you're trying to be a leader and provider for your wife & kids. Part of that role is to make plans for the financial and lifestyle future of your family. You'd love for those future plans to include building on the legacy and heritage your parents have built. Without knowing what will happen to the farm in the coming years, it makes it difficult for you to lay out your family's 5, 10, 15 yr plans. That's why this discussion is important to you and your parent's grandkids. 3. You've likely been helping on the farm, either as a full time hired hand or at a minimum during the peak busy seasons. You've seen when Mom & Dad are stressed and when they're not. For the best outcomes, this succession conversation ought to be approached at a low-stress time where all the sides can think & respond level-headed and not with heightened emotions. --- If you've had that conversation, then you can take that info and plan for your family's future accordingly. If that means taking over the farm, then you help get their transition plan documented in writing. If it means things are up in the air, then make plans for your family assuming you'll not be inheriting/taking over the farm. If something changes down the road with their succession plan, consider it a windfall opportunity, but don't rely on it. A few other tips: -Consider mentioning there are advisors out there who help wrangle all the moving pieces of farm transition planning -Consider writing your thoughts and motivations in a letter which your parents can review prior to discussions. This prevents them from being caught off guard and allows for time to formulate beneficial conversations -Remember succession planning is easily procrastinated, but one thing we can all be sure of: nobody leaves this world alive. So don't give up after one attempt at having the conversation. -Transition plans can change as family dynamics and farm business situations change. If there is a plan in place, ensure it's reviewed and updated occasionally. This is one of the types of topics we discuss over at Braintrust Ag and I have learned a ton from other members who have successfully transitioned operations. Hopefully we can all work towards preserving as many family farms and ranches as possible through having these succession planning conversations.

20 days until college football is back. Was this one of the worst calls in sports history? 👀